Abscess incision and drainage
Abscess Incision and Drainage: Medical Procedure and Overview
Abscess incision and drainage is a medical procedure used to treat localized collections of pus, known as abscesses. An abscess forms when the body’s immune response attempts to contain and eliminate infection, resulting in the buildup of pus, dead tissue, and immune cells. This procedure involves making an incision in the abscess to allow the pus to drain out, which relieves pain, promotes healing, and prevents the spread of infection.
Procedure:
Patient Evaluation: The procedure begins with a thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and possibly imaging studies (such as ultrasound or CT scan) to confirm the presence and location of the abscess.
Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area around the abscess, ensuring the patient’s comfort during the procedure.
Incision: A sterile scalpel or surgical blade is used to create a small incision directly over the abscess. The incision allows the pus and infected material to drain out.
Drainage: Once the incision is made, the healthcare provider may use gentle pressure or a sterile syringe to encourage the pus to drain from the abscess cavity. In some cases, the drainage may need to be assisted by applying controlled pressure to the surrounding tissue.
Irrigation (if necessary): After the initial drainage, the abscess cavity may be irrigated with a sterile saline solution to help cleanse the area and remove residual pus or debris.
Packaging or Dressing: Depending on the size and location of the abscess, a sterile gauze packing or dressing may be inserted into the incision site. This helps keep the wound open, allowing for continued drainage and preventing re-accumulation of pus.
Follow-Up Care: The patient is given instructions for wound care and hygiene, including how to clean and change dressings. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the underlying infection.
Healing: Over the next few days, the abscess continues to drain, and the wound gradually heals from the inside out. The packing or dressing may need to be changed regularly to prevent infection and promote healing.
References:
Li, A. E., & Strayer, R. J. (2021). Soft Tissue Abscess Incision and Drainage. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459261/
Zehtabchi, S., Sinert, R., & Baren, J. M. (2008). Evidence-based emergency medicine/rational clinical examination abstract. Does the clinical examination predict intraabdominal abscess in Crohn’s disease? Annals of Emergency Medicine, 51(3), 291-294.
Gasperino, J., & DeFranzo, A. J. (2021). Incision and Drainage. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
It’s important to note that while abscess incision and drainage is a common procedure, the specifics may vary depending on the location, size, and severity of the abscess. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options.
Below are 8 Surgeons that can assist with Abscess incision and drainage medical procedure
Dr. Frikkie Rademan
General Surgeon
- Phone: 021 975 0649
- Email:[email protected]
Dr Douglas Graham Ross
Specialist General Surgeon
- Phone:+2711 875 1992
- Email:[email protected]
DR AMISHA MARAJ
Specialist Surgeon
- Phone:067 944 8241
- Email:[email protected]
Dr Charl Cooper
Specialist Surgeon
- Phone:021 595 3266
- Email:[email protected]
Dr Jonathan Leith
Specialist Surgeon
- Phone:+27 (021) 930 9100
- Email:[email protected]
Dr Fusi Mosai
Specialist General Surgeon
- Phone: 066 474 1603
- Email:[email protected]
Dr Ebrahim Mansoor
Specialist General & Minimal Access Surgeon
- Phone:031 492 4844
- Email:[email protected]
Dr Gerrit van Schalkwyk
Specialist Surgeon
- Phone:014 592 0338/9
- Email:On website
Medical Aid that covers Abscess Incision and Drainage Procedure
🔎 Provider | ▶️ Covers Abscess incision and drainage | ⏩ Top Plan Covering Abscess incision and drainage |
🥇 Bestmed | ✅ Yes | Pace 3 |
🥈 Bonitas | ✅ Yes | BonClassic |
🥉 Cape Medical | ✅ Yes | HealthPact Select |
🏅 CompCare | ✅ Yes | PINNACLE |
🎖️ Discovery Health | ✅ Yes | Discovery Health Classic Delta Core |
🏆 FedHealth | ✅ Yes | FlexiFED 4 |
🥇 Genesis | ✅ Yes | Med 200 PLUS |
🥈 Sizwe Hosmed | ✅ Yes | Platinum Enhanced |
🥉 KeyHealth | ✅ Yes | Gold |
🏅 Makoti Medical | ✅ Yes | Comprehensive Option |
🎖️ Medihelp | ✅ Yes | MedElite |
🏆 Medimed | ✅ Yes | Alpha |
🥇 MedShield | ✅ Yes | MediCore |
🥈 Momentum | ✅ Yes | Extender |
🥉 Suremed | ✅ Yes | Challenger |
🏅 Thebemed | ✅ Yes | Fantasy |